Former Oriole Don Baylor, MVP And Former Rockies Manager, Dead At 68

Don Baylor, the 1979 AL MVP with the California Angels and former Baltimore Oriole who went on to become manager of the year with the Colorado Rockies in 1995, has died. He was 68.

Baylor died Monday at a hospital in Austin, Texas, his son, Don Baylor Jr., told the Austin American-Statesman. His wife, Rebecca Baylor, confirmed the death in a statement posted on Major League Baseball's website. He battled multiple myeloma for more than 10 years.

Baylor was drafted by Baltimore in the second round of the 1967 draft. He was called up in 1970 and played six seasons before he was part of a package sent to the Oakland Athletics for three players, including Reggie Jackson. He was a free agent the following season, and signed with the California Angels in 1977.

Hall of fame pitcher Jim Palmer remembered his former teammate.

Saddened to hear Don "Groove" Baylor died. One of the nicest men I've known unless you were a middle infielder on a DP #greatloss@Orioles